Nearly seven at night. Gaslamp. Hot. Harried. Hungry. Have a Hamilton. Or two. Hovering around …“Hardware?” “San Diego Hardware,” says the sign. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/sep/30/32577/ Been here before, now I think about it, but trying to remember, a happy hour beer? Oh …

A quarter century is a long time—especially in the restaurant industry, and especially in San Diego’s eats scene. Definitely something worth celebrating, and a business that’s hitting the big two-five will be doing just that. Downtown’s Sevilla (353 Fifth Avenue)—formerly …

Easy question: what's the most important thing about a coffee shop? Easy answer: the coffee. That's also the wrong answer. Or at least, it's not always the right one. This is because there is no "correct" answer to such a …

Spare a thought for the suffering chefs and cooks of our fair city. These days are hot enough outside. In the kitchen of, say, Clayton's Mex Takeout (1107 10th Street, Coronado, at 10th and Orange, 619-437-8811)... http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/sep/27/32356/ http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/sep/27/32357/ ...you can …

You know an idea has merit when somebody copies it. In May, a group did just that with a concept called Dîner en Blanc, bringing their Le Dîner à San Diego to America’s Finest. It created a bit of controversy …

I saw the sign pasted up in the window of a local 7-Eleven. "Help yourself to a steaming hot cup of democracy," it said, and pictured on the sign were two coffee cups. One of the cups was red, had …

Had to check the Most Beloved Taco Shop in the Galaxy. That it had re-opened, that is. Las Cuatro Milpas ("The Four Cornfields," 1875 Logan Avenue, between Crosby and Beardsley, 619-234-4460) had closed on September 17th, but promised to re-open …

The name “The Promiscuous Fork” begs for an explanation. Since this La Jolla/Bird Rock restaurant also has a good-looking menu, it was just a matter of time before my curiosity got the best of me and I headed down La …

I love all of my friends, but I’d be lying if said I don’t harbor just a smidge more affection for those who feed me well. One such friend of mine is a warm-hearted Boston transplant who teams with her …

So far, it looks like Empire House is making a serious bid to break the curse that's hung around its location. Ostensibly half-a-block too far west, the building has housed a glut of unsuccessful restaurants in recent years, but Empire …

The Spot in La Jolla has been around just about forever. The building itself dates back to 1900, when it was The White Rabbit (not to be confused with the long-closed children’s book store on Girard of the same name) …

Sausage alert on India Street! Jerry, the cook who’s just as much an institution as Pete of Pete’s Quality Meats (1742-1/2 India Street, Little Italy, 619-234-1684), the place that’s famous for the sausages which Pete has always made right here …

Two rapidly growing business types that, in taking flight, have dovetailed together nicely over the past few years are brewery tasting rooms and food trucks. They make for a perfect match. Breweries draw a large volume of patrons, but aren’t …

Located near the beginning of Orange, soon after that broad avenue peels away from the Strand, Island Pasta in Coronado is a humble Italian-American styled pasta house just a stone's throw from the luxury of the Hotel Del Coronado. Crown …

They say beat the heat with heat. So here I am in Barrio Logan looking for that sign at the corner of Newton and Beardsley… Aha. The big “TAMALES” sign, and next to it, “La Doña/New Mexico Café,” (1784 Newton …

Back in May, I reported El Bizcocho, the fine dining spot at Rancho Bernardo Inn, was closing in order to undergo a two million-dollar renovation and return as a completely different restaurant. But before that happens, El Biz will play …

The big, yellow sign stretched across the corner of El Zarape on Adams Avenue used exactly that word, "extravaganza." How to resist such promise? Feeling partied-out and in need of a substantial breakfast, I ventured out to the Mexican restaurant …

Frozen yogurt isn't ice cream, this I know. It deserves an honorable mention though because it has many of the same qualities. It's cold, sweet, creamy, and social. It has the benefit of being nominally healthier, too. I subject frozen …

Ice cream wars continue. My new favorite place: Caffe Italia (1704 India Street, 619-234-6767.) Maybe just because I’m feeling hotter than a cat on a hot tin roof. First good thing: in the afternoon, they’re on the shady side of …

Since coming on as the chef of local farm-to-table restaurateur Jay Porter’s empire, Max Bonacci has had a lot on his plate—and I’m not talking food. He’s been heading the culinary operations at North Park’s The Linkery (3794 30th Street) …

The first time I met chef Chad White was when he was working the line at Point Loma’s since closed Roseville. At the time, he was a clean-cut, eager unknown pushing out ground chuck patties for the restaurant’s weekly burger …

The spot is on University Avenue between a smoke shop and an Ethiopian restaurant and, until recently, it was occupied by a Thai restaurant. Cafe Delano opened up there a few weeks back and already has a coupon out in …

Jes’ thinking about the whole café awning issue (see Outdoor cafes: Gimme shelter!") I was complaining that café owners and the cities that regulate them don’t encourage enough shelter for us outside sitters in these sun-searing days. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/sep/20/31932/ They had …

There is this idea in business called the 80/20 rule. It has many permutations, but one of the most common ones that's thrown about in the restaurant business is that "eighty percent of your sales come from twenty percent of …

Remember the Carlsbad-based brewhouse-in-progress with the steam-punk logo I reported on back in July? No? Well allow me to reacquaint you with Daniel Guy and his Fezziwig’s Brewing Company (5621 Palmer Way, Suite C). Guy is a young homebrewer taking …

I'm a self-confessed devotee of South Indian food: give me idli and sambar and keep the fork! That doesn't mean I have a problem with North Indian food, which is good since most Indian restaurants focus on the more familiar …

What’s loaded with cueritos, jicama, japoneses, pepino, chamoy, saladito, Tajin, Valentina and Tostito chips, costs $5, and is good for you? http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/sep/19/31869/ I’ve just found out in National City. I was wandering along East Plaza Boulevard when I noticed this …

Aside from the obvious lure of fine, hand-crafted beer, one of the most alluring facets of reporting on upcoming brewing companies is being able to tell the stories behind them. Recently, I heard one that was more touching than most. …

Eda-mami sushi in Del Mar has a few things going for it. A mere stone's throw from Torrey Pines, the patio looks out over the marshy lagoon, where wading birds catch their sushi on the run, and the sun drops …

Clem's, Kensington's package store of record, opened up a tasting room a little while back to showcase the store's selection of fine wines beers. In the back corner of the plaza along Adams Ave, the tasting room has a spare, …

What price sunshine? Or rather, what cost sunshine? Was in Coronado the other afternoon. Orange Avenue, in the Village. Sunny side of the street. Roasting. Wanted to sit down have a coffee, ice cream, cerveza, anything. And outside, where at …

It’s been five years since Eclipse Chocolat began selling their delicious, innovative artisan chocolates on El Cajon Boulevard in North Park, and owner Will Gustwiller celebrated the milestone anniversary by announcing that the business will be moving to a new, …

“Peohe” in Hawaiian means a gathering of friends. That’s what they tell you here on the clunky plank deck at Peohe’s (1201 First Street, Coronado, 619-437-4474). I just happened on their happy hour (3:00 p.m. to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday) …

All the sushi places within five minutes walk of my casa were closed the other day. All of them except, Ichiban (1449 University Avenue), that is. But this isn't the story of "the little sushi spot that saved lunch," no, …

Today is Monday and when it came time to think about lunch my mind wandered to thoughts of the yummy grilled cheese sandwich I have had several times at the "Eat at Recess" Food Truck. So off I went to …

When I find a restaurant that is a good value and is already crowded on weekends, my first thought is to keep it to myself. But I must tell you that Perry's Cafe in Old Town works on all counts. …

I remember when I was 19. It was quite a year for yours truly. I moved out on my own, got my first steady job, and became a dad. The latter was enough to nudge me to grow up, but …

I got a tip a while back about a Greek place in the food court by the Von's on Midway Drive. It's taken me roughly forever to follow up on it, but I visited the Greek Corner Cafe the other …

Poor House Brewing in North Park isn't much of a bar, at least not yet, although I got the feeling that the thrown together feel is at least partially intentional. Perhaps it's just the name, but I think the mason …

It's been hot. Really hot. That's not all bad because it gives me a chance to go buck wild with one of my favorite foods--ice cream. Technically speaking, paletas aren't ice cream, but the Mexican-style iced pops bring the same …

When there’s chef turnover at one of your favorite restaurants, one becomes rightfully concerned. Under former chef de cuisine, Brian Sinnott, The Hotel Del Coronado’s fine dining restaurant, 1500 Ocean (1500 Orange Avenue), gained increased recognition among the foodie sect. …

I guess “make it yourself” has never been in my vocabulary. Till now. Talking National City. I was just turning onto 7th street when here’s this little tortilleria, El Grano de Oro (730 E. 7th Street, National City, 619-474-7401). Kids …

My mother forwarded me a link to a Slate.com article that extols the virtues of Baja-style fish tacos. The author envies those of us, "in SoCal with a perfect Baja-style joint on every block, in which case you're very lucky …

A table of people having a good time is commonplace in a brewery tasting room. So, when I spied such a scene at Kearny Mesa’s Societe Brewing Company (8262 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard), I counted myself to be in just as …

The other day, my friend Emily forwarded me an email from one of her friends. It was about a new "bread CSA" that a girl had started up. She was baking three days a week and interested parties could get …

You gotta read Barbarella’s piece on eating at The Yellow Deli. I’ve been there (315 East Broadway, Vista, 760-631-1888) a couple of times, liked it and them a lot. I mean cheery, businesslike, open people. I knew they were Twelve …

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are offered at this approachable hotel dining room. While so many of the "in" restaurants are way too noisy, Humphreys Grill soothes the sole and offers some quality food in the meantime. I have recently fallen …

A recent trip to Hawaii afforded me everything I’d traveled to the islands in search of—cool breezes, peace, tranquility, an abundance of pork. Check that. I got almost everything I wanted. Being that I visited the Big Island, I missed …

The first thing that leaps out about the Ken Cafe is that it's on one of the nicest little street corners. It's across the street from a park and the area is as pleasant as you'd expect the mayor's personal …

The San Diego Public Market will open for business on Wednesday, September 12th, at 9:00 am, giving us one more reason to love our city. SDPM, located at 1735 National Avenue in Barrio Logan, is the brainchild of local entrepreneurs …

“NO TIPS ACCEPTED." It's the first thing you notice when you get your check. But what does it mean? This is at the oldest of tapa joints in our fair city, the Café Bar Europa – La Gran Tapa (611 …

The Kimpton Hotel company from San Francisco recently opened a renovated Hotel La Jolla. This hotel was built in 1972 but when you walk in the lobby, you'd never know that it wasn't brand new. The art work is large …

In the past, I always took my coffee black or with a touch of cream. Never sweet. But, sometime in the past year or two, I started putting sugar in my coffee. I haven't been able to place blame for …

Back in July, I reported Consortium Holdings—the company behind Neighborhood, El Dorado, Noble Experiment, Craft & Commerce, and Underbelly—would be opening a new venue near the corner of 30th Street and Adams Avenue. As it turns out, CH headmen Arsalun …

’Tis a roasting hot afternoon. Salty trickles run down, stinging my eyes. Reminds me of when I just about passed out in the Anza Borrego. Then I have a refreshing thought. Happens I'm heading up from the Old Town area …

There are a lot of events out there where food from local chefs is counted on as the big draw. They can get a bit monotonous and sometimes leave attendees hungry for more. One annual event that’s always sufficiently fed …

Every now and again, I luck out and get to uncover/discover for myself some new kind of sauce, condiment, ingredient, or other foodstuff. These revelatory experiences are valuable to me, as my recent chamoy obsession indicates, because it's a rare …

Starting October 1st, the Adams Avenue Grill in University Heights will be expanding breakfast service, formerly available only on weekends (9AM-2PM), to seven days a week. The current brunch menu is somewhat indulgent, featuring plates like a turkey hash with …

“It’s my favorite new restaurant!” When I hear a statement like that, my food writer alarm sounds. Coworker, stranger, friend, or foe, I have to ask for the subject of such a major compliment. As San Diego’s number of eateries …

What a difference a couple of weeks make. Last time I was in here the place was clanging with carpentry and metal work. Last night, with three massive glass doors swung out onto Fifth Avenue and C Street, this corner …

Papa Luna’s Empanadas (1404 Garnet Avenue ) hit the Pacific Beach casual dining scene a few months ago with epicurean gusto – garnering an instant following for their stonerly twist on the classic snack pocket, dishing out free ‘nadas on …

How many times? A hundred, maybe, that I have trundled up Highland Avenue aboard the 955 bus, spotted this blushing salmon-pink cottage with the café in front... http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/sep/06/31068/ ...and wished I could jump off and go eat on its little …

I'll go out on a limb and venture that few people were heartbroken when Porkyland closed in Hillcrest. One less, not particularly outstanding taco shop just doesn't register on people's radars. The Tiki Taka Grill, which has opened up in …

Spurred on by a meat- and poultry-less meal with a pescatarian friend the night before, I decided to go the fish-and-veggie route the following day when I met my wife for lunch in University City. Due mostly to geography and …

Another day, another fruteria sharing a pint-sized room with a money wiring company. This time, it's Botello's Fruit Bar in City Heights. One friend told me about it and I couldn't find it the other day, but I staged a …

Friends bring camaraderie, an ear, a shoulder, fun, and numerous other positives into one’s life. In the case of one of my friends, it’s not so much what she’s added as what she’s subtracted from our time together that I …

I love sandwiches, and I think banh mi is one of my favorites. It has everything I like, crispy-crusted baguette, crunchy hot jalapeno, cool cucumber and herbal cilantro, tangy pickled daikon and carrot, a bit of pate, maybe a smear …

I was touring a few museums on a recent Tuesday (when San Diego residents get in free) when hunger struck. I was close to The Prado and decided to treat myself to a Cohn Restaurant experience. I was pleasantly surprised …

I’m a transplanted Texan who has eaten her share of BBQ from one end of Texas to another and I can tell you that Lemon Grove Avenue is home to some very decent BBQ, something not easily found in San …

Although the 3 men at our table ordered burgers at Jimmy’s Famous American Tavern (J-FAT) on North Harbor Drive I went ga ga over the entrée salads. The most fun was the Kitchen Sink Salad made of a base of …

Hawaiian? Japanese? Down in IB trying to decide which takeout. On my right, Hawaiian. The Big Kahuna (600 Palm Avenue, Suite 117, in Silver Strand Plaza). Place I’ve had really good experiences at before. I liked their palapas and the …

Mixed drink consultancy Snake Oil Cocktail Company came out of nowhere and quickly raised the bar for mixology around San Diego through contracts with restaurants such as Whisknladle and Gaijin Sake & Noodle House. Armed with encyclopedic knowledge of spirits, …

I can't deny that if I see a sign advertising "fried gizzards," I have to check a place out...even if I don't actually have the gizzards. I'm not 100% crazy about gizzards, truth be told, since they're just about the …

Aside from admiring a chef with the chops and the gumption to make the rise he has, I just plain get a kick out of Gordon Ramsay. The scowl, the sarcasm, the expletives—he’s good TV. I regularly tune in to …

My quest for fresh chili mango took me further out into City Heights. I followed a tip from a guy I know who said there was a place, "out by University and Euclid, but maybe it's El Cajon, I don't …

“It’s 900 degrees outside and we’re next to a flaming hot grill,” John was laughing as we sat down. We were in Jeong Won BBQ, on Convoy Street between Engineer Road and Opportunity Road. Thanks to decent ventilation and strategically …

Carla’s gonna faint. She’s the hot dog guru. Knows her kielbasas from her bratwursts, her American mustards from her French. What happens is I’m at the Festival of Sail... http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/sep/02/30731/ ...between the Star of India and the long arcade of …

I have become a believer in the combination of mango, hot sauce, and chamoy. The sweet, salty, spicy, savory flavor combo compels me to seek out new combinations of this fruity, snacktime masterpiece. With fingers crossed and appetite high, I …

Boom! Ka-Boom! The cannons exchange ear-shattering fire. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/sep/01/30702/ The smoke pours out through gun ports over the waters, the smell of gunpowder drifts past, the warring sail-heavy customs cutters slick past, trying to get in a good position to broadside …